Shaft seal



, July 27, 'l943. A. E. KALBl-:RG Re .22,353

SHAFT SEAL l original Filed oct, 1s, 1941 Ressued July 27, 1.943

Re. 22,353 I SHAFT SEAL Arvid E. Karlberg, Chicago, Ill., assignor toChicago Seal Company, Chicago, l'll., a corporation of Illinois OriginalNo. 2,299,395, dated October 20, 1942,

Serial No. 415,592, filed October 18,' 1941. Application for reissueOctober 20, 1942, Serial No.

14 Claims. (Cl. 286-7) This invention relates to seals for shafts,particularly adapted, though not necessarily limited in its use, forsealing compressor shafts which project through a wall of the compressorcasing, to prevent escape or leakage of oil and gas. l

Heretofore, with seals of this character, there has been provided abellows constructed of metal, which encompasses the shaft, and thisbellows has running engagementwith a metal element at both ends. Thebellows, being connected at one end to the shaft, ywill expand andcontract not only under torsional stresses, but also by reason of anylongitudinal movement of the shaft. Such expansion and contraction ofthe bellows is detrimental to a sealing organization, asthe continuousflexing causes the material to crystallize and break.

It is one of the objects of the present invention to overcome thesedifilculties and objections, and to provide an improved shaft seal ofthis character, in which the bellows is dispensed with, and, at the sametime, to provide kan improved structure whereby an effective andefficient seal will be provided, and there will be provided sealingelements at one end of the sleeve, which latter encompasses the shaft,and a seal at the otherend of the sleeve which will permit 'the sleevenot only to rotate with respect to the casing wall, but will also permitit to move longitudinally with respect to and throughthe casing wall, atthe same time maintaining a perfect seal.

partly in vertical section, of a structure embodying thisinvention.

Figure 2 is an exploded view of the parts of the sealing organization.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the numeral Il) designates aportion of a driven shaft' which is to be sealed, and this shaft isprovided connected thereto, in which the shaft III rotates.

A further object is to provide in a seal of this j longitudinal movementtherethrough, inasso-` ciation with a resilient 'sealing element, thesealing action of which latter is increased under the action of thelongitudinal movement of the sleeve.

c To theattainment of these ends and the accomplishment of other new anduseful objects as will appear, the invention consists in the features ofnovelty in substantially the construction, combination and arrangementof the several parts .hereinafter more fullyl described and claimed,

and shown in the accompanying drawing illustrating this invention, inwhich:

Figure 1 is a view, partly in elevation and A front plate I5 is securedto the housing wall I3, preferably by means of screws or bolts I6, and,this `plate is provided with an opening \I'l therethrough, through whichthe reduced portion II of the shaft III passes. This` opening II is of adiameter considerably greater than the external diameter of the portionI I of the shaft.

Encompassing the portion II of the shaft and abutting the shoulder I2,is a resilient sealing element I8, the outer surface I9 of which isconvex.

A bearing element` 2li encompasses the portion II of the shaft and isprovided with a concave recessed face 2|, to receive the convex face I9of the element I8. A portion of the bearingelement 2l) preferablyextends over the shoulder I2, as at 32, so as to prevent a portion ofthe element I8 from being forced between the extremity of the element 2Dand the shoulder I2, in the event of' excessive compression of theelement I8.

The bearing element 2li has/an outer flat bearing surface *23. Anon-rotatable sleeve 24 encompasses the portion Il, and is provided witha bearing surface-25 which contacts the surface 23 of the element 20,and a spring 26 encompassing the sleeve rests against a shoulder 21thereon at one end, while the other end of the spring 26 preferablycontacts the inner surface of the plate I5, and tends normally tomaintain the bearing faces 22 and 2i in contact, as Well as the surfacesI9 and 2l of the elements I8 and 20.

With this construction, the sleeve 24' will have a. running contactagainst the bearing element 20; the bearing element 20, in turn, havingcontact with the resilient element I8, will permit of a rocking movementof the shaft III-II while maintaining an effective seal. Within thewallof the opening I1 in the plate I5, I and encompassing the opening anddisposed within the planes of the inner and outer faces of the plate I5,is an open recess or groove 2B.

The sleeve 24 projects into the opening I1 and is of a length tonormally project beyond the recess or groove 28 in the plate I5. Withinthe recess 2l and encompassing the sleeve 2l is'disposed a resilientpacking element 29, the body of which is preferably of a circularcross-sectional configuration, and the element is annular inconguration, and through which element 29 the The groove or channel28 isof a semi-circular configuration in cross-section, and the length of`the opening is only slightly greater than the cross-sectional diameterof the' body of the ele-` ment 29, so that when the sleeve 24 is movedwith respect to the casing wall of the plate I5 to be' projected throughthe opening I1, the sleeve will not only slide through the element 29,but the' element 29 will be given a rolling movement. By reason or theconfiguration of the groove or channel 2l, the instant that the element29 is given such a rolling movement, it will be further compressed andthe sealing qualities thereof will be immediately increased.

With this construction, it will be manifest that the sealingorganization is free from rigid anchorage at'both ends. By reason of thefrictional engagement of the bearing element 2li with the resilientelement I9, the element 29 will `beca'used to rotate with the shaft,and, at the same time, it will be adapted forrelatlve rotary movementwith respect to the shaft, thereby overcoming excessivey torsionalstresses.

'I'he sleeve 2l will be resiliently held against rotation `by means ofthe sealing element 29, and

as the bearing element 2II rotates, its face 2| will have runningcontact with the face 25 of the sleeve 2l. y,

The spring 26 operates, at all times, to hold the end of the sleeve 2lin contact with the bearing element 20. Under excessive rotativestresses, the sleeve 29 is adapted to rotate within the element 29, andin the event that there is any longitudinal movement of the shaft IIiand I I, for any reason, the spring 2B will yield and the sleeve 24 willslide freely through the packing element 29 vand the o pening I1 in theplate I5. At the same time, a perfect seal will b e maintained betweenthe sealing element 29 and the sleeve 2l and the wall of the opening IIin the plate I5.

` The opening I1 is of suilicient diameter to per mit of arocklngmovement of the shaft Il, whereby the shaft may be adjusted when it isout of alinement, and the convex and concave bearing surfacesl I9 and 2Ibetween the elements I8 and 20 will permit of such rocking movement. The

sealing element 29 forms a resilient support for the sleeve andmaintains the sleeve out of contact with the wall of the opening,adapting the sleeve for a substantially universal movement.

While thel preferred form of the invention has been herein ,shown `anddescribed, it is to l be understood that various changes may be made inthe details of construction and in the combinaf tion and arrangement ofthe several parts, withg f 'in the scope of the claims, withoutvdeparting from the spirit of this invention.

What is claimed as new is: l.A In combination withy a sealingorganization,

, a casingv embodying a chamber and a wall forming a closure for thechamber, the faces of said wall V being substantially parallel`throughout; substantially their areas, there being an opening in saidin alinement with said chamber, a shaft passing through said opening andof a diameter considerably less than the diameter of said opening, anon-rotatable sleeve of substantial length encompassing the shaft, oneend of the sleeve extending into and adaptedto pass through saidopening, there being an annular recess in the wall of said opening,disposed entirely within the confines of the saidl faces of said wall, aresilient i l element seated in said recess and itself being dis-` posedand maintained, at all times, within the planes of the faces of saidwall, and outside of said chamber, said resilient element beingcompressed and also maintained under pressure solely by and between thebottom of said recess and said sleeve, a resilient sealing elementspacedfrom the wall oi the casing and abutting a shoulder on said shaft, -abearing element abutting the last said resilient element, and with whichbearing element one end of the sleeve has running en sagement, andresilient means interposed between Vsaid wall and a shoulderfon saidsleeve for maintaining the` said end of the sleeve in contact with saidbearing element. l

2. In combination with a sealing organization, a casing having anopening in its wall, a shaft passing through said opening and of adiameter considerably less than the diameter of said opening, anon-rotatable sleeve of substantial length encompassing the saidy shaft,one end of the sleeve extending into and adapted to pass through saidopening, a resilient sealing annular member positioned between saidsleeve and thel wallfof said opening, and disposed within 'the planes ofthe faces of said wall, said element being seated in a recess insaid-opening in the wall and compressed between the bottom of saidrecess and last said resilient element, and with `which bearing elementone end of the sleeve has running engagement, and resilient meansl formaintaining K the said end of the sleeve in contact with said bearingelement, the abutting faces of said -bear- `ing element and the secondrecited sealing element being provided one with a convex surface and theother with a concave surface to receive the convex surface, to provide arocking movement one with respect to the other.

3. In combination with a sealing organization, a casing having anopening in its wall, a shaft passing through said opening and of adiameter considerably less than the diameter of said opening, anon-rotatable sleeve of substantial length encompassingdthe said shaft,one end of the sleeve extending into and adapted to pass through saidopening, a resilient sealing annular member, the body of which isnormally substantially round in cross-section, and beingpositionedbetween said sleeve and the wall of said opening, and disposed withinthe planes of the faces of said wall, said element being seated in arecess in said opening in the wall and compressed between the bottom ofsaid recess and said sleeve, a resilient sealing i element spaced fromthe 4wall of the casing and of said annular sealing member and operatingi to cause thelatter to be further compressed as it is moved axially inthe recess by the sleeve moving longitudinally through said opening. f

4. In associationl with a housing member having a shaft extendingthrough an opening in the wall thereof androtatable with respect to saidwall, the combination with a sealing organization embodying a bearingmember rotatably mountedwitn and sealed at one ena t the shaft,

v passing freely through said opening, there being an open recess in thewall of said opening, a resilient annular sealing element encompassingsaid sleeve and seated in said recess and disposed within the planes ofthe faces of said .'wall, and

through which last said sealing element said sleeve is adaptedto slide.the depth of said recess being less than the'normal cross-sectionaldiameter of the last said sealing element, whereby the latter will becompressed between the bottom of' said recess' and said sleeve, the saidrecess ranging in depth from a medial point to wards the ends thereof,to further compress thi sealing element as it is moved axially in saidrecess, and resilient means disposed between a shoulder on said sleeveand a stationary abutment for maintaining one end of said sleeve inrunning engagement with said bearing member. 5. In a sealingorganization, a easing having a chamber and a removable wall forming aclosure for the chamber, there being an opening in said wall inalinementwith said chamber, a non-rotatable sleeve encompassing a shaft whichprojects into said opening, said sleeve also projecting into saidopening and being of an external diameter considerably less than thediameter of said opening, there being an annular recess in the wall ofsaid opening disposed entirely within the confines of the faces of saidwall and opening only into said recess, the size of said recess beingunvariable, and an annular resilient element seated and replaceable assuch, said resilient element being compressed and also maintained underpressure solely by and between the bottom of said y recess and saidsleeve and serving to maintain a tight sealing' joint, said elementforminga resilient support for the said sleeve and serving to maintainthe sleeve out of contact with the wall of said opening, whereby saidsleeve is adapted for a substantially universal movement with respect tosaid closure wall. y

6. In a sealing organization, a casing having a. chamber and a removablewall forming a closure for the chamber, there being an opening in saidwall in alinement with said chamber, a non-rotatable sleeve encompassinga shaft which projects into said opening, said sleeve also projectinginto said opening and being of an external diameter resilient elementseated in said recess and itself being disposed and maintained, atalltimes, within the planes of the faces of said wall and constituting,with said closure wall, an assembled unitary structure removable andreplaceable as such, said resilient element being compressed and alsomaintained under pressure solely by and be- I tween the bottom of saidrecess and said sleeve and serving to maintain a tight sealing joint,said element forming a resilient support for the said sleeve and servingto maintain the sleeve out of contact with the wall of said opening,whereby said sleeve is adapted for a substantially universal movementwith respect to said -closure wall, the depth lof said recess being lessthan the normal cross-sectional diameter of the sealing element. thebody of said sealing element being substantially round in cross-section,said recess varying in depth from a. medial point towards the endsthereof, to further compress the sealing element as it is moved axiallyin said recess.

'7. In combination with a sealing organization, a casing having achamber, a removable wall for said casing, said wall having an openingtherethroughin alinement with the chamber, there being an annular recessin the wail of said opening disposed entirely within the coniines of thelateral faces of the wall, said recess opening only into said openingand being unvariabie in size,

an annular resilient packing element seated in said recess, said packingelement being, at all times, maintained in said recess and within theconfines of the lateral faces of the wall, the normal exterior diameterof said annular packing element being greater than the diameter of theopening in the lateral faces of the wall, whereby said packing element,when seated in said recess. will be held against displacement throughsaid opening and will, at all times, be maintained .within the planes ofthe faces of the wall, the cross-sectional diameter of the body of saidpacking element being greater than the depth of said recess, said walland packing element constituting an assembled unitary structure.

8. In combination with a sealing organization, a casing having achamber, a removable wall for said casing, said wall having an openingtherethrough, in alinement with the chamber, there being an annularrecess in the wall of said opening disposed entirely 'within theconfines of the lateral faces oi. the wall, an annular resilient packingelement seated in said recess, said packing element being, at all times,maintained in said recess and within the connes of the lateral faces ofthe wail, the normal exterior diameter of said annular packing elementbeing greater than the diameter of the opening in the lateral faces ofthe wall, -whereby said packing element, whenv seated in said recess,will be heid against displacement through said opening and will, at alltimes, be maintained within the planes of the faces of the wall, thecross-sectional diameter of the body of said packing element beinggreater than the depth of said recess, said wall and packing elementconstituting an assembled unitary structure, said recess varying indepth from a medial point towards the ends thereof.

9. In ashaft seal of the character described, a wail provided with anopening therethrough and having a. recess in the wall oi' said openingspaced considerably less than the diameter of said openfrom thev lateralfaces of the first said wall and communicating with said openingentirely within the confines of the planes of thev o'uter faces of thefirst said wall, the size of said recess being unvariable and the depththereof being greater than the diameter of that portion of the saidopening which is adjacent the ends of the recess, a shaft sleeveprojecting into said opening and of an external diameter less than thediameter of said opening, and an annular resilient packing memberencompassing said sleeve 'and seated in said recess, the depth of saidrecess being less than the normal external diameter of the saidresilient element, Ithe internal `diameter of said resilient elementbeing less than the externa diameter of said sleeve. f r v 101 In ashaftseal of the character described, a

l wall provided `with an opening therethrough and having :a recess inthe wall of `said opening spaced` from the lateral faces of the first:saidwall andk communicating saidppening entirely within the contines of`'planes of the outer faces of the first said wall, the sine of saidrecess being unvariable :and the depththereof being greater than thediameter of that' portion of the said opening `which is adjacent theends of the recess, a shaft sleeve proiecting into said openthecharacter described, a `closure wall of integral structure of and havinga shaft receiving opening therethrough, v,said wall structure ofsubstantial thickness and having la shaft receiving openingtherethrough, said wall also provided with a recess of unvarable size inthe wall of saidopening of a depth greater than the diameter of saidshaft opening at the ends of the recess, and an annular resilientelement seated in said recess and maintained at all times within thecontines of the planes of the opposite faces of the wall', the normalexternal diameter of said annular element being greater than the depthof the said recess, whereby the said element will be'maintained seatedin said' `recess and against displacement through the yends of the saidwall opening. f

13. For use in a shaft sealing organizationof the character described,and as an assembled unitary structure insertable into and removable fromplace as such, a closure wall yof integral structure of substantialthickness and having a also provided a recess inthe wall of said vopening of a greater than the diameter of said shaft opening at ends ofthe recess, and an annular resilient `element .seated in said recess andmaintained at times the connes of the planes of the opposite faces ofthe wall, the

`normal external diameter of said :annular element lthe character and`as anassembled unitary into and `removable from place as such, aclosure wall of integral shaft receiving opening therethrough, said wallalso providedwith a recessof unvariable size in the wall of said openingof a depth greater than `the diameter of said shaft opening at the endsof the recess, and an annular resilient element seated in said recessand maintained at all times within the coniines of the planes of theopposite `faces of the wall, the normal external diameter of saidannular element being greater than the depth of the said recess, wherebythe said element wllbe maintained seated .in said recess and againstdisplacement through the ends of the said wall opening,.the said recessvarying in depth from a medial point towards the endsthereof.

14. For use in a shaft sealing organization of `the character described,a closure Wall of integral structure of substantial thickness and havinga `shaft receiving opening therethrougnsaid wall also provided with arecess in the wall of. said opening of a depth greater than the diameter`olf said shaft opening at the ends of the recess, and an annularresilient element seated in said recess and maintained at all timeswithin the connes of the planes of the opposite faces of the wall, thenormal external diameter of said annular element being greater than thedepth of the :said recess, whereby the said element will be maintainedseated in 4said recess and against displacement through the ends of thesaid wall opening, the internal diameter of said `resilient elementbeing substantially less than the dameter of :said opening in the rstsaid wall.

